I saw this film quite a while ago and didn't write a review on it. But after telling someone about it, I realized, hey, I really should post a review on it. So here it is!
Carmo wants desperately to get away from her small town. She meets Marco, a lonely smuggler, when he rescues her from almost being raped. Marco is a paraplegic but you wouldn't know it from the way he can hold his own in a fight! She jumps at the chance to leave town with him.
Serrana, who is Carmo's mother and the local bank cashier and religious freak who's having a passionate affair with Alberto, a married man who's a local policeman keen to retire. The scenes of them together are quite hilarious!
There are some funny, outrageous and touching scenes throughout this film. You'll see lots of South American country as they travel Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
BTW, there is a nude scene in this film that I found quite touching, sensuous and heartfelt. I've always felt that when it's appropriate to the story, nudity is an important component in a film.
With a cast of colorful characters and a great soundtrack, this is an enjoyable, entertaining and romantic road trip film directed by Murilo Pasta who is an Italian-Brazilian film-maker. You'll see a bit of the South American landscape in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. Viewers will see Corumba National Park & the Andes. Watch for images of Jesus and Jesus (pronounced "Jay-zoo') being mentioned and the ever-present Luz who pops up in surprising places. You gotta love the cheap knock-off stereos labelled 'Pear' instead of 'Apple.' Check out Carmo's creative ways of handling some sticky situations.
About some of the Actors:
Fele Martinez portrays Marco. If you think he looks at all familiar it's because he's a Spanish actor who acted in Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education. Carmo is brilliantly portrayed as a tough as nails woman who also has a very tender heart, by Brazilian actress Mariana Loureiro.
There really are some great songs on this film's soundtrack:
Is Portuguese singer Cesaria Evora on it? You bet! I heard a song that sounded like her and when I checked the credits I confirmed it. Online I found a video of her in concert. Even though this great Portuguese singer from Cape Verde passed on in 2011, her heartfelt music lives on! Here's the video of her in concert in 2004 and she performs the song that's on the soundtrack of this film as well as one of my favorites titled Besame Mucho!
There's also the great song Quase Nada (Almost Nothing) by Zeca Baleiro. Here's a video of him performing it in concert:
<
Here are a few quotes from this film:
"This will get you as far as Bela Vista."---ticket agent to Carmo
"Trust me to pick up the village idiot."---Marco
"What is this? 'International Fuck-a-Paraplegic-in-the-Ass Week'?"---Marco
"It's Carmo. You must know her. The daughter of that religious freak that works at Banco do Brasil."---Lucio
"Don't stop! Don't stop, for the love of God!"---Alberto
"Hong Kong, Japan...It's all the same, isn't it?"---shop owner
"Do you think I'm ecstatic? About waking up every day after having been screwed by a stranger? Or about being pregnant and not knowing who the father is?"---Carmo
"By the way, have you left your wife or are you still leading my mum on?"---Carmo to Alberto
"I didn't love her father, the way I love you, you idiot."---Serrana to Alberto
Here are some scenes from this film:
Here's trailer for this film:
There's also the great song Quase Nada (Almost Nothing) by Zeca Baleiro. Here's a video of him performing it in concert:
<
Here are a few quotes from this film:
"This will get you as far as Bela Vista."---ticket agent to Carmo
"Trust me to pick up the village idiot."---Marco
"What is this? 'International Fuck-a-Paraplegic-in-the-Ass Week'?"---Marco
"It's Carmo. You must know her. The daughter of that religious freak that works at Banco do Brasil."---Lucio
"Don't stop! Don't stop, for the love of God!"---Alberto
"Hong Kong, Japan...It's all the same, isn't it?"---shop owner
"Do you think I'm ecstatic? About waking up every day after having been screwed by a stranger? Or about being pregnant and not knowing who the father is?"---Carmo
"By the way, have you left your wife or are you still leading my mum on?"---Carmo to Alberto
"I didn't love her father, the way I love you, you idiot."---Serrana to Alberto
Here are some scenes from this film:
Here's trailer for this film:
